change of sentiments on the subject, in order that we may
condense upon the question the accumulated judgment of many minds.

It is in some measure to be attributed to the defects of our system of
education, that scientific knowledge scarcely exists amongst the
higher classes of society. The discussions in the Houses of Lords or of
Commons, which arise on the occurrence of any subjects connected with
science, sufficiently prove this fact, which, if I had consulted the
extremely limited nature of my personal experience, I should, perhaps,
have doubted.

CHAPTER II. OF THE INDUCEMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS TO CULTIVATE SCIENCE.

Interest or inclination form the primary and ruling motives in this
matter: and both these exert greater or less proportionate influence in
each of the respective cases to be examined.

SECTION 1. PROFESSIONAL IMPULSES.

A large portion of those who are impelled by ambition or necessity to
advance themselves in the world, make choice of some profession in which
they imagine their talents likely to be rewarded with success; and there
are peculiar advantages resulting to each from this classification of
society into professions. The ESPRIT DE CORPS frequently overpowers the
jealousy which exists between individuals, and pushes on to advantageous
situations some of the more fortunate of the profession; whilst, on the
other hand, any injury or insult offered to the weakest, is redressed or
resented by the whole body. There are other advantages which are perhaps
of more importance to the public. The numbers which compose the learned
professions in England are so considerable, that a kind of public
opinion is generated amongst them, which powerfully tends to repress
conduct that is injurious either to the profession or to the public.
Again, the mutual jealousy and rivalry excited amongst the whole body
is so considerable, that although the rank and estimation which an
individual holds in the profession may be most unfairly appreciated,
by taking the opinion of his rival; yet few estimations will be found
generally more correct than the opinion of a whole profession on the
merits of any one of its body. This test is of great value to the
public, and becomes the more so, in proportion to the difficulty of the
study to which the profession is devoted. It is by availing themselves
of it that men of sense and judgment, who have occasion for the services
of professional persons, are, in a great measure